Solo Shop Hopping

A cool and unsettled autumn day - after a week of record setting warm temperatures - and nothing to do.  Oh, that essay that I haven't started?  Ah well, it's not even due until the 20th!  Why not spend the morning driving out in the country in my new car, visiting quilt shops?

Yes, I bought a new car last week.  Itty Bitty signed the contract on his first REAL job since completing his undergrad degree, and needs a car for work, so I gave him my old Caliber ('09) and got a new Chevy Cruze.  I'm still trying to figure out how everything works in it, but it's a nice drive.

There are four shops on the tour, and my first stop was Creative Sisters in Kitchener.  At each stop, I had my passport stamped, and was given a piece of fabric to be used to finish the mystery project.  Since Creative Sisters is pretty close to my office, I visit there regularly, and didn't really see anything new that was particularly interesting until I spotted a new display of "Apliquick" products.

The tools were pretty pricey  -  but I thought I would give the product a try.  I generally use freezer paper for applique, but that means an extra step of cutting into the backing to remove the paper.  This product can be left in.

Next stop was Heart 'n Home in New Hamburg.  Again, it's not too far from where we live, so I have been there twice in the last few months.  I like New Hamburg a lot - - and I thought today, if I was to settle somewhere again, that I might like to live there.  It's close to 7/8 Highway, so it would be a quick scoot into Kitchener or Stratford.

Third stop on the Shop Hop is The Quilt Place in Shakespeare. It was very crowded today, with even a few MEN Shop Hoppers among us. I found a quieter place in front of the large selection of books, and chose a new title to add to my library: Stash Lab by Tonya Alexander.  Maybe you know her blog, Eye Candy Quilts? I don't know which project to start first!

And the final stop on the tour was Ye Olde Fabric Shoppe in Stratford.  Okay...I hadn't visited here since Sailor Boy first went away to Halifax, and I needed a fabric fix to cheer myself up.  Was that 2010?

Near the front of the store was a large collection of Kim Diehl fabrics in Christmas reds and greens, and the suggestion of this project which you can dowload from the Henry Glass website.:

I am absolutely crazy for Kim Diehl fabrics and designs right now.  I'm working on the appliqued borders on Sprigs & Twigs currently.  I'm not a Christmassy person, but maybe I could add one or two reds or greens to my growing collection?  But not so fast!  I turned a corner and found a whole wall of Kim Diehl.  I panicked!  I wanted them all!  But in the end, I only chose a handful, knowing that Stratford is only 40 or so kilometers away, and I can come back another day.

As it was the last stop on the Shop Hop, I collected the final fabric piece as well as the finishing piece and the pattern for the mystery project, a beverage tote:

On the way back home, I passed this sign, and stopped to read more about the Mennonite community here in the Waterloo Region.

I picked up a couple of more quilts from the long-armer this week, so I must get to putting the binding on them in time for the next guild meeting.

A Wild Goose Chase

I'm still working away on Sprigs & Twigs, and have the centre squares all pieced together, and it's time to start on the appliqued borders.  ummmm....not something I have a ton of experience doing, and there was one instruction that was a little mysterious.

The instructions in the book that calls for the use of "bias bars" to make the stems.  I can't find what these things are, there doesn't seem to be a list of required materials that would suggest to me what bias bars are.....this calls for an adventure!

So, we headed out bright and early Saturday morning, and drove the hour and a quarter to visit Creekbank Sewing Machine Shop (cuz you know I need more Kim Diehl fabrics, right?).  I showed them the photo of the mystery tool, and they were stumped.  

Next stop was the Quilter's Nine Patch.  They did know what bias bars, but didn't have any in stock, but offered to order them for me.  I thanked them very much, but I would check another place--I didn't want to wait--but I would call if I didn't have any luck.

Next stop was K-W Sewing Machines, which happens to be kitty-corner from my office.  Success!  The clerk there REALLY REALLY wanted me to purchase bias tape makers, although I assured her that wasn't what I needed.  

So .... are you scratching your head, wondering what bias bars are?

Quilt Show

This past Saturday I attended Waterloo County Quilters' Guild's Quilt Show.  If you go to the Guild's Facebook page, you can see photos of a few selections.  I have to say that I was dazzled and inspired by the show.

As expected, Day 2 of the show, well... the vendors's selections were getting a little picked over, so there wasn't a lot that I was compelled to bring home - with the exception of a small selection of some Kim Diehl FQs, but I did discover a couple of new shops that I hadn't visited before.  The FQs came from Creekbank Sewing Machine Shop in Mount Forest.  Well...I used to be in Mount Forest once a week and never heard of this shop before!  They will be my go-to resource for Kim Diehl fabrics - - which I will need to finish "Sprigs & Twigs" - - but more on that in a minute.  

The second "new-to-me" LQS is Kalidoscope of Quilts from Exeter.  This is a new store, and I understand, not at all related to another Exeter quilt shop (which I also really liked, but is now closed).  Okay - - I have to get past the fact that someone intentionally spelled "kaleidoscope" wrong in the name of their shop - - but I can get beyond that quirk.  I haven't been to Exeter in yeeeeears - but if I am in the neighbourhood, I will check it out.  

Okay....speaking of "Sprigs & Twigs" - I finished the squares of the centre of this quilt.  The original design calls for 16, but in order to get a larger finished size, I increased the number to twenty-five.

Tomorrow is the October meeting of the Waterloo County Quilters' Guild.  Time is going to be tight - I have a meeting that is work-related after office hours - but I'm packing up tonight  so I'm ready to participate in Show & Tell.

Quilts: fueled by Swiss Chocolate

I know - - I'm an idiot.  Like I need more fabric.  But I saw a photo on Quiltville Open Studio facebook page yesterday of a finished Kim Diehl design called "Sprigs & Twigs" and I just knew I had to make one.  I looked all over online for a quilt kit, because I'm really bad at choosing fabric "on purpose" - I'm more of a fabric "finder" than a "shopper".  But first...I had to find the pattern.  (Hey - there are some free Kim Diehl pattens on the Henry Glass website!)

I thought I would spend tomorrow running around SW Ontario looking for "Simple Appeal", but started today with a trip to Elmira's "Quilter's Nine Patch" (it's open Sundays, but closed on Mondays).  WHOOP! WHOOP!  They had the book in stock!

On the way home, Hubby and I stopped in St. Jacob's at Picard's Peanuts briefly, and laid in a small supply of quilting fuel.  mmmmmmmm....chocolate!

I've put together my Leader & Ender project: Split Nine Patch.  I'm piecing together dark four-patches for borders.  I imagine I should have them done by the end of this week.  I still haven't decided what I'm going to do with this - - I love it a whole lot!

A little outing - Check out Red Red Bobbin!

Hubby and I went for a little drive today - - the sun was shining, and the temperature well above freezing! This has been the longest winter of my life, and the weatherman is calling for yet ANOTHER winter storm starting tonight, bringing cold temps and 15-25 cm of snow.  OMG!!!  No more!!!!

Itty Bitty attends university about an hour from home at the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier.  He had class this morning, but I had found a new-to-me Quilt Shop: Red Red Bobbin.  Am I ever glad I found it!  I just wonder why it took me until Itty Bitty's 3rd year of university to find it.  Louise, Jim, and Robin were very welcoming--as was Lucy, the resident store dog.

One thing that especially intrigues me is an upcoming visit from Australia's Kathy Doughty in May to teach two workshops.  You know who Kathy is....doesn't EVERYONE follow Material Obsessions???  I may just have to reserve a seat - - hey St. Thomas!  Brantford is only an hour away, and I would LOVE to see you all!

The fabric selection is incredible. 1500 bolts including designs by Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably, Philip Jacobs, Jane Sassaman, Martha Negley, Melissa White, Terri Mangat, Tula Pink, Parson Gray, Jay McCarroll, Anna Maria Horner, Kim Schaeffer and Gail Kessler. If I had brought my camera, I would have taken photos.  Such exciting selections, prints I've never seen anywhere before, but no shopping for me - - just looking with my eyes, not my hands! 

I did purchase two books though, including one the I blogged about two weeks ago: Cut The Scraps by Joan Ford (It was signed by the author!)  And I was delighted to learn that Red Red Bobbin prices books at US prices, in Canadian dollars.  Niiiiiiice........

Hubby and I have been marathon watching "Shameless" - we are in the midst of the 3rd season.  Okay - it's filthy - lots of full-frontal nudity, language, sex, and shocking-shocking!-story lines - - it's a guilty pleasure.

Sunday Stash and Slow Stitching: Love Blooms Here

I'm ready to start the embroidery for the stems on this block. All of the applique is done.  I swear all of the leaves ARE green - just didn't show up so good in the photo. Hmmm.

And yes, I did tell some horrible lie by saying that I could complete this quilt from my batik stash.  I stopped into the Triangle Sewing Centre this week to enhance my batik selections. Forgive the horrible lie.

Linking to Sunday Stash and Sunday Slow Stitching

Oh! Scraps!

It doesn't matter how many drawers full of scraps I already have - - I love, love, love scraps.  

I did a little bit of thrifting on Friday with Hubby and bought a $3 bag of scraps.  Here's what I got that I'm keeping:

The smaller piece of batik (with the stars) is a 1/2 yard, and still had the price of $7.50 attached to it.  Thank you!  I'll take that!

When I was at the Greenwood Quiltery yesterday, I snagged several bags of scraps too.  I spent the evening pressing, squaring up, trimming, and organizing scraps.  My favourite way to spend a Saturday night!  Even Gibson got in on the fun.

Linked to Sunday Stash # 58 @ Molli Sparkles

Weird Weather Walk

Took a break from finishing Celtic Solstice today to get some fresh air and exercise.

Like most places in N. America, we too have been experiencing record cold temperatures this past week.  Well, Mother Nature has decided it's time for the annual January Thaw today.  It's foggy, it's slightly misty, but Hubby and I agreed to take a walk (this is really one of the few times this month that it's been warm enough to be outside longer than a few minutes!) down to Greenwood Quiltery for the first day of their Winter Sale.

This isn't far; it's usually a 10 minute walk (just about 1 km) from our place.  Today it was absolutely treacherous! Ankle deep slush, streams of melt water, and where the sidewalks were actually clear of snow, thick ice. But we made it there and back, with each of us taking only one fall -- no injuries to report.  

The store was PACKED!  I managed to grab some fabric and get in line to check out pretty quickly.  (There had to be at minimum 60 women in that store, with two lineups for cutting, and another lineup, winding halfway up the stairs to pay!) A pair of ladies ahead of me in line recognized me as the 'shirt quilt lady' - - ah, celebrity!!!

While I was out and about in Waterloo...

Still having several hours to kill while Hubby was at work, there was no need to come straight home after the quilt show.  I needed a fabric to finish the piecing of "Plaid Obsession" - so it was off to Elmira and the Quilter's Nine Patch.

While in Elmira, I FINALLY found:

I admire everything about this thrift store.  Try to picture everything you imagine about the Old Order Mennonite way of life - and apply it to everything you know about thrift stores.  Neat as a pin, organized into categories, visible signage, large coloured price tags, appropriately priced, quiet.  When I walked in, a sign indicated that all  red and orange tagged items were half price.  It seems that this building may have been a restaurant at one time - because there were a number of "rooms".  When I got to the books - which I thought were a smidge more than I like to pay for second hand books - I happily saw a bin with a sign clearly stating that books with green tags were 50 cents.  Perfect!  Magazines for a quarter. Yes!  I also bought some plates, brand new with the original price tag still attached - $1 each.

I didn't think I'd find any quilting treasures, since the Mennonites of Waterloo County are famous for their quilts - but look what I did spy:

No - I didn't buy one - but it was good to know where I can find some denim patches, in case I do want to make a comforter one day.  You can sort of see there are some quilts folded on the shelves below - - about a dozen or so, but I didn't examine them closely.

Heading home, I realized that I was just a stone's throw from St. Jacobs - so I stopped in at Reichard's. I was surprised to see that they are closing! 

All fabric from the bolt with a .5m min cut 35% off
All panels and pre-cut fat quarters are 35% off
All books, patterns and notions 15% off
Store Samples 25-40% off
All store fixtures are for sale. 

I did buy a little fabric. The selection was still very good - so I would recommend to any bargain hunters who have a quilt project in mind, or perhaps need to purchase backing fabric - make the trip.

Lucy's All Better - June Goals

I wasn't sure where to take Lucy, so I googled to find a local Janome service provider, and came up with Triangle Sewing Centre.  It's just a few blocks from where I live, and just across the street from the local quilt shop.  WOW!  SO MUCH EYE CANDY!!!  

I dropped Lucy onto the serviceman's table, explained what she was doing.  He explained that there was a problem with a circuit board in the foot pedal itself, and I would need to replace the foot pedal, and he had a suitable replacement in stock!  Terrific!  

The shop is PACKED with so much to see - - the most batiks I'd ever seen, so many quilting books, threads, notions.  I'll have to go back someday soon to have a more thorough look.  I asked about local long arm quilters, and the ladies gave me a couple of business cards and brochures, and made some personal recommendations.  I also asked about a special notion that I had heard about, but couldn't think of the name, and one of the staff knew exactly what I was talking about.

Little Genie Magic Bobbin Washers - I've read some reviews about this product, and hope that I'll experience some improvement in my own FMQ.  

"These slick space age washers eliminate the backlash in the bobbin when changing directions at high speed. Backlash creates "birds nests"in free-motion quilting and embroidery. Just drop a LITTLE GENIE in the bobbin case, replace the bobbin and you're good to go!. Fits all domestic machines. Designed by author, teacher and award winning quilter Sharon Schamber. Package of 12. Tough and long-lasting."

I find that if my stitch speed is too slow, I don't get nicely rounded curves, but if my stitch speed is too fast, the bobbin thread drags on the back, and looks terrible.

I'm a little alarmed at the price.  I paid $13 (Canadian) for a package of 12 little plastic discs.  Seems sort of inflated - but if it works, I'll retract any complaint about price - they will be worth every penny.  I'll report back.

I took some time to give Lucy some TLC last night - a thorough wipe down, cleaned all the lint out of her, a drip of oil, and a needle change.  She's sweetly humming along, and I gave her a test drive:

I-13 Sweet Harmony

June Goals

1. Well, now that I've gotten Dear Jane back on my mind, and recognized that I have so very few blocks left to do, I will finish one block a week for the month of June.

2. Continue keeping up with Grandmother's Choice Block of the Week.  There's only 10 weeks left of blocks, but because there is 5 Saturdays in June - that means five blocks

3. Sampler Pillows - complete piecing, quilt, and finish.

4. Pick a quilt top - ANY quilt top and FINISH IT!  For months I've been saying I would be finishing "Heart of the Home" - but have yet to make any actual moves to do so.  Enough!  I'm not sure what's holding me back, so I'm committing to choose any of the MANY flimsies in the pile and make it into a real finished quilt.  If it happens to be "Heart of the Home"...well, all the better.

5. Pull out one of my "pre-cut" quilt kits, and start it as a Leader & Ender project.  I need to have something to slip under my needle while I'm piecing Dear Jane blocks.

Mother's Day

Today turned out to be a great early Mother's Day for me. It could have been a couple of degrees warmer, but at least it was dry.

The three of us struck out early this morning for town wide yard sales in Heidelberg.  Just like last week, we were in Mennonite country, but this week, we were SMACK DAB CENTRE of Mennonite Country!  It was interesting parking roadside with horses and wagons front and back!  We had to be careful not to step into 'road apples' as we walked through the neighbourhoods of modern subdivisions.  No remarkable finds this week - - a few goodies though.  Itty Bitty got a bookshelf -- something he's been looking for for a couple of weeks.  I got some quilting books, some embroidery transfers, a few odds and ends.

Then we went to the St. Jacob's Farmers' Market.  All the years we've been regular visitors to St. Jacob's, this was our first visit to the market.  After browsing around, and picking up some fruit and veggies, we headed into St. Jacob's proper, and Itty Bitty treated us to an early Mother's Day lunch at the Stone Crock.  

The men patiently waited while I visited Reichards Quilt Store.  It was busy, and all the fabric was 25% off - - and then I realized it was a Shop Hop!  RATS!  I missed it!  Oh well, I had a bit of a mini-shop hop anyway, because on the way home we stopped at a quilt store in Elmira that I had never visited before: Quilter's Nine Patch.  OH MY!  I'm going to become a regular visitor.  I came out with a bag full of goodies!!!

Tonight I did some quilting, and finished one of my pillows.  I used my walking foot for the first time ever -- had to get out my instruction book to figure it out!  I'm hoping to finish the partner to this one tomorrow!

And here's a photo of the new borders on Virginia Bound. I used my Dear Jane ruler to cut the string blocks.  I feel like I want to do one more border...hmmmmmmm.  Or maybe dark binding will be enough.  Any thoughts?